Bipod support system and device for binoculars

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is an exemplary bipod device that includes a first shaft and a second shaft. The first and the second shaft are attached together by a connector. Also, attached to the first shaft is a first platform and attached to the second shaft is a second platform. Additionally, disclosed herein is an exemplary bipod system that includes a bipod comprising a first and a second shaft, and a connector connected to the first and second shaft. The bipod system further includes a first platform attached to the first shaft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/177,993, filed Feb. 17, 2021, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety, including but not limited to those portionsthat specifically appear hereinafter.

BACKGROUND

According to depictions on cave walls people have been interacting withanimals since the beginning of time. Our earliest ancestors watchedanimals both to protect themselves from dangerous animals and also foropportunities to harvest their next meal. Indeed, spotting animals at adistance was and continues to be a major advantage in both protectionfrom dangerous animals and harvesting animals for food. As times changedpeople began watching animal not only for hunting but for observationalenjoyment. Whatever the reason for observing wildlife, watching wildlifein its natural habitat often requires patience, precision, andpersistence because wild animals are typically easily frightened bysight, sound, and smell. Frequently, animals often are found in placesthat are difficult for humans to reach particularly because many humanshave poor abilities to approach undetected in difficult terrain. As aresult, animals are best viewed at a distance. Modern optics, such as ascope or binoculars or other ocular enhancements allow humans to spotanimals at a much greater distance than ever before without disruptingthe animal in its natural state. Many animal watchers prefer binocularsover a spotting scope because binoculars allow the user to comfortablyview a subject through both eyes, binoculars provide a wider field ofview, and binoculars are much easier to use to visually trace the edgesof a tree-line while looking for an out of place patter of a bird or anantler tine hidden amid dead tree branches. Binoculars are also morestable than spotting scopes in many cases, although, in some cases, theheartbeat or breathing of a user can reduce image stability inbinoculars. Further, after an extended amount of time, the arms of auser may become weak or shaky which prevents the user from seeing ananimal clearly.

What is needed is support for optical devices that provides improvedimage stability and helps to alleviate user fatigue.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein is an exemplary bipod device that includes a firstshaft and a second shaft. The first and the second shaft are attachedtogether by a connector. Also, attached to the first shaft is a firstplatform. Attached to the second shaft is a second platform.

Also disclosed herein is an exemplary bipod system that includes a bipodcomprising a first shaft, a second shaft, and a connector connected tothe first shaft and the second shaft. The bipod system further includesa first platform attached to the first shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive implementations of the disclosure aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified. Advantages of the disclosure will becomebetter understood with regard to the following description andaccompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is an illustrated view of the top portion of an open bipodsupport system and device.

FIG. 2 is an illustrated view of a top portion of a single shaft of abipod support system and device.

FIG. 3A is an illustrated view of a top portion of a stowed bipodsupport system and device.

FIG. 3B is an illustrated view of a stowed bipod support system anddevice.

FIG. 4 is an illustrated view of a top portion of an in use open bipodsupport system and device.

FIG. 5 is an illustrated view of a portion of bipod support system anddevice with an alternate connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of the disclosure, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shownby way of illustration specific implementations in which the disclosureis may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may beutilized and structural changes may be made without departing from thescope of the disclosure.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and notlimitation, specific techniques and embodiments are set forth, such asparticular techniques and configurations, in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the device disclosed herein. While the techniques andembodiments will primarily be described in context with the accompanyingdrawings, those skilled in the art will further appreciate that thetechniques and embodiments may also be practiced in other similardevices.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings torefer to the same or like parts. It is further noted that elementsdisclosed with respect to particular embodiments are not restricted toonly those embodiments in which they are described. For example, anelement described in reference to one embodiment or figure, may bealternatively included in another embodiment or figure regardless ofwhether or not those elements are shown or described in anotherembodiment or figure. In other words, elements in the figures may beinterchangeable between various embodiments disclosed herein, whethershown or not.

FIG. 1 is an illustrated view of the top portion of open bipod supportsystem and device 100. Bipod support system and device 100 may includesupport caps 110 attachable to the top end of each shaft 220. Supportcaps 110 placed on a top of each one of shafts 220 may work in tandem tocreate a dual platform. Support caps 110 may include a medial platformportion 130 near medial end 1300 and a lateral platform portion 120 neardistal end 1200 with lateral portion 1002 therebetween. Support caps 110may be attached to a top of shaft 220 through neck 140 of support caps110. Attaching support caps 110 at top of shafts 220 may include usingvarious techniques known in the art, i.e., adhesives, friction, clamps,rivets, bolts, screws, pins, and other fasteners. Alternatively, a topof shafts 220 may be threaded to match the threads of the support caps110 to screw support caps 110 into place on a top of shafts 220. Supportcaps 110 may further include an aperture that may allow access to acord, shown in FIG. 2 , that attaches to a portion of shafts 220. Thiscord may be attached to shafts 220 to help ensure that the support caps110 remain with shafts 220 even if support caps 110 were to be removedfrom the shaft purposefully or inadvertently. Support caps 110 mayinclude a smaller aperture inset within aperture 121. The smaller insetaperture may be the same size or slightly larger than the cord, allowingthe cord to pass through both the smaller inset aperture and aperture121. The cord may attach directly to both support caps 110 and shafts220. The cord may be attached to support cap 110 by including a knot ora stopper with a circumference that may be larger than the smaller insetaperture but smaller than aperture 121. This allows the knot or stopperto sit within aperture 121 without falling into shafts 220. Otherwise,the cord may contain a knot larger than the aperture 121 or may attachdirectly to a plug sized to fit within aperture 121 without pullingthrough. The cord may have elastic properties to create a constanttension but allow for support caps 110 to be removed from shafts 220without breaking.

Medial platform portions 130 and lateral platform portions 120 are apart of support caps 110 and individually and in combination may beconsidered an elongated platform. In this context “elongated” means thatthe length of the platform is greater than the diameter of the neck 140.Medial platform portion 130 and lateral platform portion 120 may bedisposed on each support cap 110. Moreover, medial platform portions 130and lateral platform portions 120 may be a part of a single platformportion or may alternatively connect or attach together creating acontinuous platform. Medial platform portion 130 of support cap 110 maybe substantially 55 degrees from a vertical cross-sectional plane A1defined by a center axis of shaft 220. The term “substantially,” inreference to spatial positioning, is generally intended to mean plus orminus 15 degrees throughout this disclosure. Lateral platform portion120 may be substantially 125 degrees from a vertical cross-sectionalplane defined by a center axis of shaft 220. In an open bipod system anddevice 100 a vertical cross-sectional plane as defined by first shaft220 may be substantially 70 degrees from a vertical cross-sectionalplane A2 as defined by a center axis of second shaft 220. When bipodsystem and device 100 is open a resting cross-sectional plane may bedefined by a line extending between first platform on a first supportcap and a second platform on a second support cap, which issubstantially parallel to a plane defined by the position of the lowerends of the shafts 220 on the to the ground surface. Both the first andsecond platform may contain both medial and lateral platform portions130 and 120. Also, when bipod system and device 100 are open, the medialplatform portions 130 and lateral platform portions 120 of opposingsupport caps 110 are substantially on the same horizontalcross-sectional plane as defined by the medial platform portions 130 andlateral platform portions 120.

An alternate embodiment of support system and device 100 may include asingle platform connectable to a first shaft 220. For example, whenopened the individual platform may be more permanently attached the topend of first shaft 220 and more temporarily attached to the top end ofsecond shaft 220. When in a stowed position the more permanentattachment to the first shaft may include a hinge that allows the singleplatform to swing towards a lower portion of the second shaft 220.Attaching the single platform to the top end of the first shaft 220 andthe lower end of the second shaft 220 holding both shafts 220 together.Further the single platform may include a handle attached to an end ofthe platform such that when the platform is in the stowed position thehandle extends away from the lower end of the shafts 220 creating ahandle to use the support system and device 100 as a walking stick. Asimilar handle portion may be positioned on the lateral platform portion120 and or medial platform portion 130 of a dual platform system toprovide a handle to use bipod support system and device 100 as a walkingstick.

Neck 140 of support caps 110 may include an upper cutout 141 and a lowercutout 142. Upper and lower cutouts 141 and 142 may be defined as anaperture in neck 140 or may be defined as an indentation in neck 140 ofsupport cap 110. The upper and lower cutouts 141 and 142 not only reducethe weight of the bipod system and device 100 but also allow a user tomore easily grip support caps 110 even when using gloves. Lower cutout142 may be a notch in place of a cutout helping the user to locate,using tactile feedback, the bottom of the neck and to reduce weight.

Bipod system and device 100 may include a collar or sheath 210 locatedbelow neck 140. Collar 210 may wrap around shaft 220 and extend fromneck 140 towards connector 230. Alternatively, collar 210 may extend onthe shaft between the shaft 220 and the connector 230. Collar 210 may becomposed of a nonabrasive material such as foam (i.e. polyethylene,polyurethane, EVA), cork, and or rubber (i.e. natural, neoprene,silicone, EPDM) or any combination of suitable materials. Collar 210 mayalso be included on an opposing shaft 220 which in turn creates aresting fork 200. Resting fork 200 may be considered the space from thebase of the neck to the connector 230, such that when the bipod systemand device is open a spotting scope, firearm, camera etc. may be placedin the resting fork for stability. Resting fork 200 may specifically beused for resting a barrel of a firearm. Resting fork 200 may includecollars 210 disposed on both opposing shafts 220 which creating acushion within the resting fork 200.

Connector 230 connects two opposing shafts 220 and may further allowopposing shafts 220 to scissor and/or rotate. If connector 230 does notprovide for rotation one or more of caps 110 may rotate on the shaft(s)220 to align platforms when bipod system and device 100 is closed. Whenbipod system and device 100 is closed such that platform portions 130and 120 are side by side when closed. When bipod system and device 100is opened the two opposing medial platform portions 130 are generallynear each other and opposing lateral platform portions 120 are onopposite ends of each other.

Connector 230 may be an attachment composed of molded plastic, metal,wood, or any other natural or synthetic attachment that connectsopposing shafts 220. Connector 230 may also be a pin that is insertablebetween opposing shafts 220. To allow rotations of shafts 220 with apin, channels may be inserted within the shafts or within a channelattached to one or more shaft 220. Rotation of shaft 220 is rotationaround a vertical axis defined by the shaft 220.

As deiced in FIG. 5 , connector 230 may be a lashing style connectorlashing two opposing shafts 220 together. Connector 230 as a lashing mayinclude various number of wraps and various number of fraps. Dependingon the thickness of the lashing material and exemplary lashing mayinclude five wraps and three fraps. The lashing material may include butis not limited to nitrile, EPDM, silicone, neoprene, rubber cord, nylon,polypropylene, polyester, polyethylene etc. Natural materials may alsobe used such as cotton, jute, hemp but synthetic style ropes are favoredfor flexibility and weather and friction resistance. Any suitablecombination of materials may be used for the lashings. A frap not onlyholds the wraps together helping to keep the lashing in one location onshafts 220 but also creates a space between opposing shafts 220 tofacilitate the opening and closing of the bipod system and device 100.The space between the two shafts may not be required for support systemand device 100 to function but may be included in any type of connector230. Connector 230 may further have locking mechanisms that lock theshafts 220 at different angles. This may include a lock while open andwhile shut and a lock at various other angles.

Shafts 220 may be telescoping and/or foldable and may contain aninternal spring or other mechanisms for shock absorption. Shaft 220 mayinclude an internal hook, loop and/or aperture for attaching the cordthat connects support cap 110 to shaft 220. The locking system in shaft220 may include an external lever lock, push-button lock, twist lockand/a combination lock. Further shaft 220 may include a tip made from adifferent material to provide better grip and/or increased durability.Shafts 220 may be made of carbon fiber, aluminum, fiberglass steel etc.The tips may include a point to allow penetration into the ground or maycontain a flat surface to grip to the surface. The tips may also beremovable for repair, to accommodate different terrain, or to acceptdifferent types of mounts, such as a vehicle window mount.

FIG. 2 is an illustrated view of a top portion of a single shaft/side ofa bipod support system and device 100, shown in FIG. 1 . Bipod supportsystem and device 100 may include support cap 110 attachable to the topend of shaft 220. Support cap 110 contain platforms may be placed on thetop of shaft 220 and each platform may work in tandem to create a stageto place an ocular device. Support cap 110 may include a medial platformportion 130 and a lateral platform portion 120. Support cap 110 may beattached to the top of shaft 220 by neck 140 of support cap 110.Attaching support caps 110 may include using various means i.e.,adhesive, friction, clamps rivets, bolts, screws, pins. In analternative embodiment, the top of shaft 220 may be threaded to matchthe threads of the support cap 110 to screw into place.

Support cap 110 may further include an aperture 121 through which cord123 may pass after attaching to shaft 220. Cord 123 may attach to shaft220 to help ensure that support cap 110 remains with the shaft 220 evenif it were to be removed from the shaft purposefully or inadvertently.Support cap 110 may include a smaller aperture inset within aperture 121the same size or slightly larger than cord 123 allowing cord 123 to passthrough. Cord 123 may attach direct to support cap 110. Alternatively,cord 123 may include a knot or stopper with a shape larger than theaperture 121. Otherwise, cord 123 may contain a knot larger than theaperture inset within aperture 121 or may attach directly to plug 122sized to fit within aperture 121. Plug 122 may be fastened to aperturewith adhesive or may be secured by friction allowing a user to removeplug 122 and replace support cap 110 if desired. Cord 123 may haveelastic properties to create a constant tension while allowing forsupport caps to be removed from shaft 220 without breaking.

Medial platform portions 130 and lateral platform portions 120 are apart of support caps 110. Medial platform portion 130 and lateralplatform portion 120 may be disposed on each support cap 110. Moreover,medial platform 130 and lateral platform 120 may be consideredindividually and in combination an elongated platform. In this context“elongated” means that the length of the platform is greater than thediameter of the neck 140. Moreover, medial platform portions 130 andlateral platform portions 120 may be a part of a single platform portionor may alternatively connect or attach together creating a continuousplatform. Medial platform portion 130 of support cap 110 may besubstantially 55 degrees from a vertical cross-sectional plane definedby shaft 220. The term “substantially”, in reference to spatialpositioning, is generally intended to mean plus or minus 15 degreesthroughout this disclosure. Lateral platform portion 120 may besubstantially 125 degrees from a vertical cross-sectional plane definedby shaft 220. In an open bipod system and device 100 a verticalcross-sectional plane as defined by a central axis along a length offirst shaft 220 is substantially 70 degrees from a verticalcross-sectional plane as defined by a central axis along a length ofsecond shaft 220. When open bipod system and device 100 is open thehorizontal cross-sectional plane as defined by a first platform and asecond platform is substantially parallel to the ground. Both the firstand second platforms may contain both medial and lateral platformportions 130 and 120. Also, when bipod system and device 100 is openmedial platform portions 130 and lateral platform portions 120 ofopposing support caps 110 are substantially on the same horizontalcross-sectional plane as defined by the medial platform portions 130 andlateral platform portions 120. In an alternate embodiment, apertures maybe included below lateral and medial platform portions 120 and 130 ofsupport cap 110 that accommodate connectors such as carabiners or clipsto attach items to the bipod or to connect the bipod to a backpack orvehicle for transportation purposes.

Neck 140 of support cap 110 may include an upper cutout and a lowercutout. Upper and lower cutouts may define an aperture or may define anindentation in neck 140 of support cap 110. The cutouts not only reducethe weight of the bipod system and device 100 but may also allow a userto more easily grip the support cap even when using gloves. The cutoutsmay be a notch in place of a cut helping the user to locate a bottom ofthe neck and to reduce weight.

Bipod system and device 100 may include a collar that may be locatedbelow neck 140. Collar 210 may wrap around the shaft and extend fromneck 140 towards a connector. Alternatively, collar 210 may extend belowa connector. Collar 210 may be composed of various nonabrasive materialsuch as foam (i.e. polyethylene, polyurethane, EVA), cork, and or rubber(i.e. natural, neoprene, silicone, EPDM.) or any combination of suitablematerial. Collar 210 may also be included on an opposing shaft 220 whichin turn creates a resting fork 200.

FIG. 3A is an illustrated view of a top portion of a stowed bipodsupport system and device 100, shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3B is anillustrated view of a stowed bipod support system and device. Bipodsupport system and device 100 may include support caps 110 attachable tothe top end of each shaft 220. Support caps 110 placed on the top ofeach shaft 220 may work in tandem to create a dual platform. Supportcaps 110 may include a medial platform portion 130 and a lateralplatform portion 120. Support caps 110 may be attached to the top ofshaft 220 through neck 140 of support cap 110. Attaching support caps110 may include using various techniques known in the art, i.e.,adhesive, friction, clamps, rivets, bolts, screws, pins, and otherfasteners known in the art. Alternatively, a top of shafts 220 may bethreaded to match the threads of the support caps 110 to screw intoplace. Support caps 110 may further include an aperture that may allow acord that attaches to a portion of the shaft 220. This cord may beattached to shaft 220 to help ensure that the cap remains with the shaft220 even if it were to be removed from the shaft purposefully orinadvertently. Support caps 110 may include a smaller aperture insetwithin aperture 121. Wherein the smaller inset aperture is the same sizeor slightly larger than the cord, allowing the cord to pass through boththe smaller inset aperture and aperture 121. The cord may attachdirectly to both support caps 110 and shafts 220. The cord may attach tosupport cap 110 by including a knot or a stopper with a shape largerthan the smaller inset aperture but smaller than aperture 121. Thisallows the knot or stopper to sit within aperture 121. Otherwise, thecord may contain a knot larger than the aperture 121 or may attachdirectly to plug sized to fit within aperture 121 without pullingthrough. The cord may have elastic properties to create a constanttension but allow for support caps to be removed from shaft 220 withoutbreaking.

Medial platform portions 130 and lateral platform portions 120 are apart of support caps 110. Medial platform portion 130 and lateralplatform portion 120 may be disposed on each support cap 110. Moreover,medial platform portions 130 and lateral platform portions 120 may be apart of a single platform portion or may alternatively connect or attachtogether creating a continuous platform. Medial platform portion 130 ofsupport cap 110 may be substantially 55 degrees from a verticalcross-sectional plane defined by a center axis along a length of shaft220. The term “substantially,” in reference to spatial positioning, isgenerally intended to mean plus or minus 15 degrees throughout thisdisclosure. Lateral platform portion 120 may be substantially 125degrees from a vertical cross-sectional plane defined by shaft 220. Inan open bipod system and device 100 a vertical cross-sectional plane asdefined by first shaft 220 is substantially 70 degrees from a verticalcross-sectional plane as defined by second shaft 220. When bipod systemand device is open the horizontal cross-sectional plane as defined by afirst platform and a second platform is substantially parallel to theground. Both the first and second platform may contain both medial andlateral platform portions 130 and 120. Also, when bipod system anddevice 100 is open medial platform portions 130 and lateral platformportions 120 of opposing support caps 110 are substantially on the samehorizontal cross-sectional plane as defined by the medial platformportions 130 and lateral platform portions 120.

Neck 140 of support cap 110 may include an upper cutout 141 and a lowercutout 142. Upper and lower cutouts 141 and 142 may be defined as anaperture in neck 140 or may be defined as an indentation in neck 140 ofsupport cap 110. The upper and lower cutouts 141 and 142 not only reducethe weight of the bipod system and device 100 but also allow a user tomore easily grip even when using gloves. Lower cutout 142 may be more ofa notch in place of a cutout helping the user to locate the bottom ofthe neck and to reduce weight.

Bipod system and device 100 may include a collar 210 located below neck140. Collar 210 may wrap around shaft 220 and extend from neck 140towards connector 230. Alternatively, collar 210 may extend belowconnector 230. Collar 210 may be composed of various nonabrasivematerial such as foam (i.e. polyethylene, polyurethane, EVA), cork, andor rubber (i.e. natural, neoprene, silicone, EPDM.) or any combinationof suitable material. Collar 210 may also be included on an opposingshaft 220 which in turn creates a resting fork 200. Resting fork 200 isconsidered the space from the base of the neck to the connector 230where when the bipod system and device is open a spotting scope,firearm, camera etc. may be placed in the resting fork for stability.Resting fork 200 may specifically be used for resting a barrel of afirearm. Resting fork 200 may include collars 210 disposed on bothopposing shafts 220 which creating a cushion within the resting fork200.

Connector 230 connects two opposing shafts 220 and may further allowopposing shafts 220 to scissor and/or rotate. If connector 230 does notprovide for rotation one or more of caps 110 may rotate to alignplatforms when bipod system and device 100 is closed. When bipod systemand device 100 is closed such that platform portions 130 and 120 areside by side when closed. When bipod system and device 100 is opened,the two opposing medial platform portions 130 are generally near eachother and opposing lateral platform portions 120 are on opposite ends ofeach other.

Connector 230 may be an attachment composed of molded plastic, metal,wood, or any other natural or synthetic attachment that connectsopposing shafts 220. Connector 230 may also be a pin that may beinsertable between opposing shafts 220. To allow rotations of shafts 220with a pin, channels may be inserted within the shafts or within achannel attached to one or more shaft 220. Rotation of shaft 220 may berotation around a vertical axis as defined by the shaft 220.

Connector 230 may be a lashing style connector lashing two opposingshafts 220. Connector 230 as a lashing may include various number ofwraps and various number of fraps. Depending on the thickness of thelashing material and exemplary lashing may include five wraps and threefraps. The lashing material may include but is not limited to nitrile,EPDM, silicone, neoprene, rubber cord, nylon, polypropylene, polyester,polyethylene etc. Natural materials may also be used such as cotton,jute, hemp but synthetic style ropes would likely be favored forflexibility and weather and friction resistance. Any suitablecombination of materials may be used for the lashings. A frap not onlyholds the wraps together helping to keep the lashing in one location onshafts 220 but also creates a space between opposing shafts 220 tofacilitate the opening and closing of the bipod system and device 100.The space between the two shafts may not be required for the system tofunction but may be included in any type of connector 230. Connector 230may further have locking mechanisms that lock the shafts 220 atdifferent angles. This may include a lock while open and while shut anda lock at various other angles.

Shafts 220 may be telescoping and/or foldable and may contain aninternal spring or other mechanisms for shock absorption. Shaft 220 mayinclude an internal hook, loop and/or aperture for attaching the cordthat connects support cap 110 to shaft 220. The locking system in shaft220 may include an external lever lock, push-button lock, twist lockand/a combination lock. Further shaft 220 may include a tip made from adifferent material to provide better grip and/or increased durability.Shafts 220 may be made of carbon fiber, aluminum, fiberglass steel etc.The tips may include a point to allow penetration into the ground or maycontain a flat surface to grip to the surface. The tips may also beremovable for repair for to accommodate different terrain.

FIG. 4 is an illustrated view of a top portion of an in-use open bipodsupport system and device 100. Bipod support system and device 100 mayinclude support caps 110 attachable to the top end of each shaft 220.Support caps 110 are placed on a top of each shaft 220 and may work intandem to create a dual platform surface. Support caps 110 may include amedial platform portion 130 and a lateral platform portion 120. Supportcaps 110 may be attached to the top of shaft 220 through neck 140 ofsupport cap 110.

Medial platform portions 130 and lateral platform portions 120 are apart of support caps 110. Medial platform portion 130 and lateralplatform portion 120 may be disposed on each support cap 110. Moreover,medial platform portions 130 and lateral platform portions 120 may be apart of a single platform or may alternatively connect or attachtogether creating a continuous platform. Medial platform portion 130 ofsupport cap 110 may be substantially 55 degrees from a verticalcross-sectional plane defined by shaft 220. Substantially, in referenceto spatial positioning, is generally intended to mean plus or minus 15degrees throughout this disclosure. Lateral platform portion 120 may besubstantially 125 degrees from a vertical cross-sectional plane definedby shaft 220.

In open bipod system and device 100 a vertical cross-sectional plane asdefined by shaft 220 may be substantially 70 degrees from a verticalcross-sectional plane as defined by opposing shaft 220. When bipodsystem and device 100 is open the horizontal cross-sectional plane asdefined by medial platform portion 130 and lateral platform portion 120may be substantially parallel to the ground. Also, when bipod system anddevice 100 is open medial platform portions 130 and lateral platformportions 120 of opposing support caps 110 are substantially on the samehorizontal cross-sectional plane as defined by the medial platformportions 130 and lateral platform portions 120. Having a platformcomposed of both medial platform portion 130 and lateral platform 120provides a surface to support device 300 such as binoculars as depicted.Dual platforms attached to the top of shafts 220 that are parallel tothe ground provide a resting place to support device 300.

Bipod system and device 100 may include a collar 210 located below neck140. Collar 210 may wrap around shaft 220 and extend from neck 140towards connector 230. Alternatively, collar 210 may extend belowconnector 230. Collar 210 may be composed of various nonabrasivematerial such as foam (i.e. polyethylene, polyurethane, EVA), cork, andor rubber (i.e. natural, neoprene, silicone, EPDM.) or any combinationof suitable material. Collar 210 may also be included on an opposingshaft 220 which in turn creates a resting fork 200. Resting fork 200 maybe the space from the base of the neck to the connector 230 where whenthe bipod system and device is open a spotting scope, firearm, cameraetc. may be placed in the resting fork for stability. Resting fork 200may specifically be used for resting a barrel of a firearm. Resting fork200 may include collars 210 disposed on both opposing shafts 220 whichcreating a cushion within the resting fork 200.

Connector 230 connects two opposing shafts 220 and may further allowopposing shafts 220 to scissor and/or rotate. When bipod system anddevice 100 is closed such that platform portions 130 and 120 are side byside when closed. When bipod system and device 100 is opened the twoopposing medial platform portions 130 are generally near each other andopposing lateral platform portions 120 are on opposite ends of eachother.

Connector 230 may be an attachment composed of molded plastic, metal,wood, or any other natural or synthetic attachment that connectsopposing shafts 220. Connector 230 may also be a pin that may beinsertable between opposing shafts 220. To allow rotations of shafts 220with a pin, channels may be inserted within the shafts or within achannel attached to one or more shaft 220. Rotation of shaft 220 may bea rotation around a vertical axis as defined by the shaft 220. Connector230 may be a lashing style connector lashing two opposing shafts 220.Connector 230 as a lashing may include various number of wraps andvarious number of fraps. Depending on the thickness of the lashingmaterial and exemplary lashing may include five wraps and three fraps.The lashing material may include but is not limited to nitrile, EPDM,silicone, neoprene, rubber cord, nylon, polypropylene, polyester,polyethylene etc. Natural materials may also be used such as cotton,jute, hemp but synthetic style ropes would likely be favored forflexibility and weather and friction resistance. Any suitablecombination of materials may be used for the lashings.

A frap not only holds the wraps together helping to keep the lashing inone location on shafts 220 but also creates a space between opposingshafts 220 to facilitate the opening and closing of the bipod system anddevice 100. The space between the two shafts may not be required for thesystem to function but may be included in any type of connector 230.Connector 230 may further have locking mechanisms that lock the shafts220 at different angles. This may include a lock while open and whileshut and a lock at various other angles in between.

Shafts 220 may be telescoping and/or foldable and may contain aninternal spring or other mechanisms for shock absorption. Shaft 220 mayinclude an internal hook, loop and/or aperture for attaching the cordthat connects support cap 110 to shaft 220. The locking system in shaft220 may include an external lever lock, push-button lock, twist lockand/a combination lock. Further shaft 220 may include a tip made from adifferent material to provide better grip and/or increased durability.Shafts 220 may be made of carbon fiber, aluminum, fiberglass steel etc.The tips may include a point to allow penetration into the ground or maycontain a flat surface to grip to the surface. The tips may also beremovable for repair for to accommodate different terrain.

FIG. 5 is an illustrated view of a portion of bipod support system anddevice 100 with an alternate connector 230. Connector 230 may be alashing style connector 230 lashing two opposing shafts 220 together.Connector 230 as a lashing may include various number of wraps 231 andvarious number of fraps 232. Connector 230 may include a traditionallashing in which wraps 231, as with the fraps 232, are fashioned using asingle rope or cord. Another embodiment may include wraps 231 and/orfraps 232 as being individual rings that may include elastic properties.Lashing connector 230 may allow the rotation around a vertical axis asdefine by shaft 220 that aids in aligning the platforms connected to thetop of shafts 220.

The lashing material may include but is not limited to nitrile, EPDM,silicone, neoprene, rubber cord, nylon, polypropylene, polyester,polyethylene etc. Natural materials may also be used such as cotton,jute, hemp but synthetic style ropes are favored for flexibility andweather and friction resistance. Any suitable combination of materialsmay be used for the lashings. Frap 232 not only holds the wraps togetherhelping to keep the lashing in one location on shafts 220 but alsocreates a space between opposing shafts 220 to facilitate the openingand closing of the bipod system and device 100. The space between thetwo shafts may not be required for support system and device 100 tofunction but may be included in any type of connector 230.

The foregoing description is presented for purposes of illustration. Itis not exhaustive and does not limit the invention to the precise formsor embodiments disclosed. Modifications and adaptations will be apparentto those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification andpractice of the disclosed embodiments. For example, components describedherein may be removed and other components added without departing fromthe scope or spirit of the embodiments disclosed herein or the appendedclaims.

Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the disclosuredisclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples beconsidered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of theinvention being indicated by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bipod system comprising: a bipod comprising: afirst shaft having an upper end and a lower end; a second shaft havingan upper end and a lower end; a connector connected to the first shaftand the second shaft, the first shaft rotatable around its long axiswithin the connector, and the second shaft is rotatable around its longaxis within the connector; a first elongated platform attached to thefirst shaft near the upper end, the first elongated platform having amedial end and a distal end and a lateral portion extending between themedial end and the distal end; a second elongated platform attached tothe second shaft near the upper end, the second elongated platformhaving a medial end and a distal end and a lateral portion extendingbetween the medial end and the distal end; and wherein the system isselectively moveable from a deployed position to an undeployed positionby flexing the shafts at the connector, such that the first shaft andthe second shaft are generally parallel to one other in an undeployedposition and upper and lower ends of the first shaft and the secondshaft are moved away from one another for deployment and in the deployedposition the medial ends of the first elongated platform and the secondelongated platform face one another with the distal ends of the firstelongated platform and the second elongated platform extending away fromone another, and wherein the first elongated platform is selectivelymoveable as the system is moved from the undeployed position to adeployed position.
 2. The bipod system of claim 1, wherein the secondelongated platform is selectively moveable as the system is moved fromthe undeployed position to a deployed position.
 3. A bipod systemcomprising: a bipod comprising: a first shaft having an upper end and alower end; a second shaft having an upper end and a lower end; aconnector connected to the first shaft and the second shaft, the firstshaft rotatable around its long axis within the connector, and thesecond shaft is rotatable around its long axis within the connector; afirst elongated platform attached to the first shaft near the upper end,the first elongated platform having a medial end and a distal end and alateral portion extending between the medial end and the distal end; asecond elongated platform attached to the second shaft near the upperend, the second elongated platform having a medial end and a distal endand a lateral portion extending between the medial end and the distalend; and wherein the system is selectively moveable from a deployedposition to an undeployed position by flexing the shafts at theconnector, such that the first shaft and the second shaft are generallyparallel to one other in an undeployed position and upper and lower endsof the first shaft and the second shaft are moved away from one anotherfor deployment and in the deployed position the medial ends of the firstelongated platform and the second elongated platform face one anotherwith the distal ends of the first elongated platform and the secondelongated platform extending away from one another, and wherein inundeployed position the first elongated platform and the secondelongated platform are generally near each other and have a commonmedial end to distal end direction.
 4. The bipod system of claim 3,wherein the medial end of the first elongated platform is closer to avertical cross-sectional plane defined by the first shaft than thelateral portion of the first elongated platform.
 5. The bipod system ofclaim 4, wherein when the bipod is open a horizontal cross-sectionalplane as defined by the first elongated platform is substantiallyparallel to the ground.
 6. The bipod system of claim 3, wherein thefirst elongated platform is attached to a cap that is attached to thefirst shaft.
 7. The bipod system of claim 6, wherein the secondelongated platform is attached to a cap that is attached to the secondshaft.
 8. The bipod system of claim 1, wherein the first elongatedplatform is attached to a cap that is attached to the first shaft. 9.The bipod system of claim 8, wherein the second elongated platform isattached to a cap that is attached to the second shaft.
 10. A bipodsystem comprising: a bipod comprising: a first shaft having an upper endand a lower end; a second shaft having an upper end and a lower end; aconnector connected to the first shaft and the second shaft, wherein theconnector further comprises a lashing wrapped around the first shaft andsecond shaft, the first shaft rotatable around its long axis within theconnector, and the second shaft is rotatable around its long axis withinthe connector; a first elongated platform attached to the first shaftnear the upper end, the first elongated platform having a medial end anda distal end and a lateral portion extending between the medial end andthe distal end; a second elongated platform attached to the second shaftnear the upper end, the second elongated platform having a medial endand a distal end and a lateral portion extending between the medial endand the distal end; and wherein the system is selectively moveable froma deployed position to an undeployed position by flexing the shafts atthe connector, such that the first shaft and the second shaft aregenerally parallel to one other in an undeployed position and upper andlower ends of the first shaft and the second shaft are moved away fromone another for deployment.
 11. A bipod comprising: a first shaft havingan upper end and a lower end; a second shaft having an upper end and alower end; a connector connected to the first shaft and the secondshaft, such that the first shaft and the second shaft each beingseparately rotatable around its respective long axis within theconnector; a first elongated platform attached to the first shaft nearthe upper end, the first elongated platform having a medial end and adistal end and a lateral portion extending between the medial end andthe distal end; a second elongated platform attached to the second shaftnear the upper end, the second elongated platform having a medial endand a distal end and a lateral portion extending between the medial endand the distal end; and wherein the system is selectively moveable froma deployed position to an undeployed position by flexing, such that thefirst shaft and the second shaft are generally parallel to one other inan undeployed position and the upper ends and the lower ends of thefirst shaft and the second shaft are moved away from one another fordeployment.
 12. The bipod of claim 11, wherein in the deployed positionthe medial ends of the first elongated platform and the second elongatedplatform face one another with the distal ends of the first elongatedplatform and the second elongated platform extending away from oneanother.
 13. The bipod of claim 12, wherein the first elongated platformis selectively moveable as the system is moved from the undeployedposition to a deployed position.
 14. The bipod of claim 13, wherein thefirst elongated platform is selectively moveable as the system is movedfrom the undeployed position to a deployed position.
 15. The bipod ofclaim 12, wherein in undeployed position the first elongated platformand the second elongated platform are generally near each other and havea common medial end to distal end direction.
 16. The bipod of claim 15,wherein the medial end of the first elongated platform is closer to avertical cross-sectional plane defined by the first shaft than thelateral portion of the first elongated platform.
 17. The bipod of claim16, wherein when the bipod is open a horizontal cross-sectional plane asdefined by the first elongated platform is substantially parallel to theground.
 18. The bipod of claim 17, wherein the first elongated platformis attached to a cap that is attached to the first shaft.
 19. The bipodof claim 18, wherein the second elongated platform is attached to a capthat is attached to the second shaft.
 20. The bipod of claim 11, whereinthe connector further comprises a lashing wrapped around the first shaftand second shaft.